Rebels vs Highlanders highlights: Highlanders hold Rebels try-less

The Highlanders are a team of journeymen who have managed to find the glue, with their coach, to make the side stick together for each other. They can defend ( we saw that tonite), they can kick (we saw that too), they can build pressure (we definitely saw that) and, on occasion, they can score some pretty decent tries. But all of this, can be attributed IMO, to having the right player in key positions and when you look at the team-sheet, then there are some bloody good journeymen, filling those key spots. Bendah at FB; Osbourne on the wing; Feks at No13; Sopa at No 10; Azza at No9 (perhaps the maestro conducting this orchestra); Dixon at No6; Wheeler at No5; and lastly, a front-row of tub-a-tubs who just perform like an immovable rock. IMO, they don't try too much. They simply let their opponents try things and they disrupt everything, their opponents try. Once that disrupt happens and is successful, they pounce and when they pounce then, 9 times out of 10, its all over bar the shouting. It makes it difficult to try things so that's why teams practice, practice, practice so that their set-piece plays are copy-book, their attack moves are down-pat that players can perform these with their eyes closed, their defence lines are rigid etc etc. But, you can't practice being disruptive - it just happens and the significance of such action is that when it happens, all 15 team-mates are on the same wave-length as the disruptor that the response, is immediate and lethal. There is nothing worse to demoralise a team as when you are attacking and metres away from scoring, only to pick yourself up off the grass and trudge the full length of the field in the other direction because your opponent, has just turned defence, into a long range try. That is what this Highlander's team can and does do to their opponents. They dig deep in the trenches when it's necessary and it's nothing fancy until you make an error or they've just forced, an error. Those pesky buggers because in all honesty, that's exactly what this team is made of - a bunch of journeymen who have found a way to stick together and pester you, for the whole match. Just to add salt to the wound, they then turn-up the after-burners and my team of attackers, are left strewn all over the paddock while those journeymen, are scoring at the other end.

Our kiwi bros seem to be hitting their straps but still along way to go as points wil be scarce come local derby clashes In the garden of Eden.

Our kiwi bros seem to be hitting their straps but still along way to go as points wil be scarce come local derby clashes In the garden of Eden.

The Rebels didn't help themselves with so many mistakes, but wow the Highlanders were clinical in defence and took advantage of any mistake made by Melbourne. Can see the gap in class between the teams. Felt nervy whenever Rebels had the ball, and I think the crowd was the same. Tough night, hopefully it's a learning kerb and they can bounce back. Credit to the crowd, both groups of supporters, and despite the result I thought the atmosphere was pretty good considering there was AFL on today!

Uncreative is exactly the right word Die Hard.

That was one awful game of rugby to watch. Credit to the Highlanders D which was awesome. But that match was kick, drop, scrum, repeat.

Harsh but true. Was a bad pass from campo though ...

Really? I thought the Rebels were dismal. Fair dinkum, these players are professional, paid to play and they were dismal at executing basic skills. Well done the Highlanders but further evidence 5 Australian teams is too many.

The Landers did 119 tackles tonight! No way through for the Rebs

Hehe yes thanks for the fun Will

Didn't take the ball to the line until the last 10 minutes and the game was already over

Margo's comments before the game was as usual way off the mark.... Rebels completely outclassed, so much for a close match.

This is the first year in decades I've gotten into Easter (i.e. I have a few creme eggs in the fridge). I've hated Easter eggs ever since 1993 when I skipped school with my girlfriends to go on an egg-eating binge, except I had an egg as big as a Size 3 rugby ball to go through. Blergh...

I thought Sopoaga played pretty well...

Thanks Will. Nice job! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.

Thanks Will... great commentary.. love the little bits of humour...